The Saudi backed coalition of rebels have stated they are not in contact with the Russians.

There are reports the Free Syrian Army is crumbling.

Russia's Slava class cruiser Mosvka is sitting off the Syrian coast and supporting the air campaign. The Russians are givingpress tours in a PR campaign.

Upon thinking about the Saudi military alliance, or 'anti terrorist coalition,' it would be darkly amusing if in attempting to stupid the IS from creating the Caliphate (or their twisted version of it) the world incidentally pushed the Saudis into effectively creating the same.